Mark Burnett: 'Rock Star' Update

As previously reported, producer Mark Burnett is pitching a new music reality show. "Rock Star" is designed to find a frontman for an existing rock band. Australian rockers INXS have volunteered their band for the show. INXS has been without a lead singer since the death of Michael Hutchence in 1997 and surviving band members saw "Rock Star" as the perfect opportunity to rectify the situation. Over their career of 25 years INXS has sold over 30 million records world wide.

Burnett feels that there is plenty of room on television for another music program. "I feel that rock music has been totally left out of that mix," said Burnett. Casting for "Rock Star" will begin later this year with the show airing next year. Auditions for contestants will span five continents. Unlike other music reality shows viewers will not be the sole deciding factor in who the winner will be. The winner will record an album with INXS and then go on tour as a part of the band.